The purpose of this grant is to deepen the local effort to reduce disproportionate minority contact (DMC). The grant is a three year project with a non competitive reapplication requirement each year. Probation contracts with the W. Haywood Burns Institute, who along with other expert consultants provide staff training on DMC and participate in a core working group that meets every two months. The Burns Institute also assists the department in perfuming a high level data analysis of how probation youth pass through key points in the juvenile justice system and help determine if decisions are equitably made for all youth. Expert consultants also provide assistance integrating data elements, develop a data interface, conduct analysis and provide reports of findings and outcomes associated with DMC reduction.

In year three, key stakeholders in the community will be invited to join probation in furthering DMC work and some technical assistance will be provided to them as well.